Number of Victims in Baghdad Clashes Rises to 5, Over 300 Wounded (VIDEO)

The number of victims in clashes between demonstrators and police in Iraq's capital of Baghdad has risen to five, while 320 people have been wounded, Al Arabiya broadcaster reported Saturday, citing a local official.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, the supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr took to the streets calling for election reforms and anti-corruption measures, and clashed with police near the district where government buildings are located.

One of those killed was a serviceman of the Iraqi police.

Baghdad, anti-corruption protests pic.twitter.com/0sKaIsm151

— Rebeen Doski (@RebeenDoski) 11 февраля 2017 г.

The demonstrators reportedly carried cut-and-thrust weapons and firearms.

#Iraq: Thousands of people pour into streets in #Baghdad in anti-corruption protests. pic.twitter.com/T5PhqtyYT2

— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) 11 февраля 2017 г.

Sadr called on his supporters to calm down, criticizing the excessive use of force, while Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi called on citizens not to violate law and stressed that they were not deprived of the right to conduct peaceful demonstrations.